of programmes undertaken by the Government and non-governmental organizations to improve the status of women. One representative reported on workshops on women’s participation and statistics and on the utilization of the mass media to promote public information. One representative informed the Commission that training activities have been developed, with special emphasis on the catalytic role of the Government and the need for the participation of all sectors. 10. Many representatives reported on the participation of their countries in the regional preparatory conferences. They expressed their support for the regional platforms of action. References were made to the High-level Regional Preparatory Meeting of the Economic Commission for Europe at Vienna and to the Conference on Equality and Democracy: Utopia and Challenge, organized by the Council of Europe at Strasbourg. 11. Some representatives reported on the subregional meetings organized in preparation for the regional preparatory meetings and the adoption of subregional platforms for action. One representative informed the Commission of the upcoming Caribbean subregional meeting to finalize preparations for the Conference. 12. In a joint statement, United Nations agencies advised the Commission about their activities in preparation for Beijing, emphasizing that acting in a coordinating way facilitated the realization of the Women in Development/gender mandates. 13. The Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for Public Policy spoke about the preparations for the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations and the special importance of women’s contribution being reflected therein. (b) Review and appraisal of the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women 14. Many representatives stated that the principle of equality was embodied in their constitutions and in the Charter of the United Nations. Reference was made to the existing international legal instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and to the various institutional, legal measures at the national level that were being taken to translate the principle of equality into reality. However, despite notable progress in the advancement of women in societies the world over, much remained to be done before the international community could claim that the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women had been implemented in full. 15. Although some representatives stated that the participation of women in decision-making bodies at the national level had increased, many representatives stressed that women were still far from reaching equal power and that more radical policy interventions and strong political will would be required to bring about immediate changes, including changes in the structure and cultures of institutions. Women’s participation in decision-making was a prerequisite for democracy that should be practised at all levels, from grass-roots to top decision-making in both the private and public spheres. Some representatives expressed similar concerns regarding international institutions and decisionmaking, including the United Nations system. 16. Many representatives stated that despite increased participation of women in the labour force, women were still clustered in low-paid, low-skilled jobs and that discrimination against women in remuneration and promotion continued. -36-